Desert Running (sort of) in a 392, what parts?

[AccuTunedJL]

I thought on the 392 we already have 2.0s though....is that correct? And do you recommend the hydro bumps?

Let me rephrase, Fox 2.0 Remote Reservoir shocks is what I am referring to. Non-reservoir shocks are not tunable or serviceable by us. Remote reservoir also offers more oil, lower pressures, longer lasting performance. Factory shocks on the 392 I believe are 2.0, yes.

We installed Fox 2.5 DSC Shocks on a 392 that had a lot of weight on it. Stock vs Fox 2.5 was a big difference. More control, planted and smoother damping.

Air Bumps, in my opinion are overkill for most trail Jeeps. Great for harsh bottom out control, but with a properly tuned shock that wont be used as often. Another nice thing about DSC Adjusters, you can stiffen up the high and low speed compression for desert bashing. Of course, maybe you do hit the desert hard and do need them. Would be a great upgrade after you have run new shocks for a while. Easy to add later unless your budget allows for it now.

I ran our JL with Fox 2.5 DSC Coilovers around in the desert and trails for a day, never aired down and hardly ever bottomed out crazy hard. Sure I could have pushed it harder like my personal Jeep, but then you are border line thrashing a nice Jeep.

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[guarnibl]

Let me rephrase, Fox 2.0 Remote Reservoir shocks is what I am referring to. Non-reservoir shocks are not tunable or serviceable by us. Remote reservoir also offers more oil, lower pressures, longer lasting performance. Factory shocks on the 392 I believe are 2.0, yes.

We installed Fox 2.5 DSC Shocks on a 392 that had a lot of weight on it. Stock vs Fox 2.5 was a big difference. More control, planted and smoother damping.

Air Bumps, in my opinion are overkill for most trail Jeeps. Great for harsh bottom out control, but with a properly tuned shock that wont be used as often. Another nice thing about DSC Adjusters, you can stiffen up the high and low speed compression for desert bashing. Of course, maybe you do hit the desert hard and do need them. Would be a great upgrade after you have run new shocks for a while. Easy to add later unless your budget allows for it now.

I ran our JL with Fox 2.5 DSC Coilovers around in the desert and trails for a day, never aired down and hardly ever bottomed out crazy hard. Sure I could have pushed it harder like my personal Jeep, but then you are border line thrashing a nice Jeep.

Define a 392 that had a lot of weight on it.... 392 is pretty heavy stock already over a non-392. I am still on the fence on 2.0 rr vs 2.5 but don't want to sacrifice on road quality, which I believe you do with the 2.5. But maybe if the 392 weights enough that's not the case? I only go to Moab a few times a year but when I do, I do it hard (6-7 days, 2-3 trails a day, fast speeds when I can, etc).

I know it's all subjective, just looking to give up the least amount of on road quality and still be able to smash stuff in Moab a few times a year without issue. Still sounds like 2.0's are the right choice. My 392 in final form will have the metal cloak arms/springs, AEV bumpers front/rear, winch, 37's (39's for Moab runs) and skids. Stock axles, for now.

 

[MSparks909]

I’ve only got a couple hundred miles on mine, but I’m pretty pleased with my 2.0s. With the Metalcloak lift I personally wouldn’t want to go to a larger (stiffer) shock. I get I can run them on a soft setting but you’re still moving a larger piston. I’ll be taking my 392 to Windrock in ~3 weeks for Valentine’s Day with the GF. 8 hours on the interstate each way, 2 days of wheeling and 8 hours back. I’ll be able to give a much better ride report then.

 

[guarnibl]

I’ve only got a couple hundred miles on mine, but I’m pretty pleased with my 2.0s. With the Metalcloak lift I personally wouldn’t want to go to a larger (stiffer) shock. I get I can run them on a soft setting but you’re still moving a larger piston. I’ll be taking my 392 to Windrock in ~3 weeks for Valentine’s Day with the GF. 8 hours on the interstate each way, 2 days of wheeling and 8 hours back. I’ll be able to give a much better ride report then.

Awesome!

Can you tell me eye to eye shock length at ride height?

 

[MSparks909]

Awesome!

Can you tell me eye to eye shock length at ride height?

I can Thursday when I get back from my hunting trip. Just responded in the other thread. Short answer, the 4.5-6” front Fox 2.0s and rear 3-4” 2.0s are perfect. 2 bumps up front, 2 rear currently but may remove a rear one.

But I can PM you some measurements Thursday night when I get back if you still need them.

 

[guarnibl]

I can Thursday when I get back from my hunting trip. Just responded in the other thread. Short answer, the 4.5-6” front Fox 2.0s and rear 3-4” 2.0s are perfect. 2 bumps up front, 2 rear currently but may remove a rear one.

But I can PM you some measurements Thursday night when I get back if you still need them.

Thanks I still will. Not many folks running this setup out there yet. Sounds like that front will be better anyway, as I'll likely end up on 39's at some point.

 

[guarnibl]

I can Thursday when I get back from my hunting trip. Just responded in the other thread. Short answer, the 4.5-6” front Fox 2.0s and rear 3-4” 2.0s are perfect. 2 bumps up front, 2 rear currently but may remove a rear one.

But I can PM you some measurements Thursday night when I get back if you still need them.

Also any idea how much lift you gained?

 

[MSparks909]

No problem, I’ll PM them to you Thursday night when I get home. Mine took about a month from ordering, but Fox is running behind on production, like everything else. For the $ if you absolutely need shocks for Moab run the Rocksports and keep them as a backup set if you ever want to get your 2.0s re-valved or sent in for maintenance.

No idea on lift height, I didn’t measure before and after. Just tossed it on. But it’s definitely 2-2.5” taller now. 39s will fit with some pinch seam trimming in the rear and maybe an extra bump up front and rear. That’s the nice thing about the MC lift though, bumps are super easy to add/remove.

 

[guarnibl]

No problem, I’ll PM them to you Thursday night when I get home. Mine took about a month from ordering, but Fox is running behind on production, like everything else. For the $ if you absolutely need shocks for Moab run the Rocksports and keep them as a backup set if you ever want to get your 2.0s re-valved or sent in for maintenance.

No idea on lift height, I didn’t measure before and after. Just tossed it on. But it’s definitely 2-2.5” taller now. 39s will fit with some pinch seam trimming in the rear and maybe an extra bump up front and rear. That’s the nice thing about the MC lift though, bumps are super easy to add/remove.

Thank you.

Yeah good to know. I will probably fender chop if I run 39's.

 

[SSWIM]

I must have gotten them “just right”. They are compliant and work exceptionally well. No harshness or hard hits on the little stuff.

Good luck with your 2.5s. They are amazing also.

Sam

 

[guarnibl]

I must have gotten them “just right”. They are compliant and work exceptionally well. No harshness or hard hits on the little stuff.

Good luck with your 2.5s. They are amazing also.

Sam

It's possible they just ride differently on Wrangler vs Gladiator, too. My friend has a 392 with the 3.0's that I'll be driving later this week as well back-to-back down that same road. Different lift/spring combo, but nonetheless...should help.

Just curious, how much shock shaft do you have showing eye to eye on yours? I mean on my Gladiator it's setup properly where it's evenly spaced travel at ride height both up and down. And I mean, off road you can hit ANYTHING at speed and it doesn't phase it, or that's what it felt like.

 

[guarnibl]

I must have gotten them “just right”. They are compliant and work exceptionally well. No harshness or hard hits on the little stuff.

Good luck with your 2.5s. They are amazing also.

Sam

What lift are you running?

 

[SteveSRT]

Fox 3.0s. Work amazing.

Sam

Which springs are you using? I have some of these 3.0's from my diesel jl that never even got mounted because fox sent one of the fronts without oil and gas one time, the second time the reservoir was upside down and now I think one of the hoses is swapped wrong. But I still would like to try them if you like yours

 

[SSWIM]

I am running stock springs. 2.5 inch spacers. Nothing fancy. I have gone down the "lift" road many times. Wanted to stay simple this time. It drives great and all the steering geometry is on point.

Sam

 

[Wheelin Matt]

Air down your tires! No special shocks needed to run desert roads unless you are going super fast and jumping and shit. I live in the Mojave/Sonoran desert and wheel desert roads all the time! I sure won’t spend a bunch on tuned shocks until the current ones need replacement. I always air down (15-17 psi) on any dirt roads when wheelin

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